International Protest Against Planned Parenthood

The International Planned Parenthood Foundation (IPPF) has its headquarters in London

Protests against Planned Parenthood, the US abortion giant, were held around the world on Saturday 22nd August, including outside IPPF headquarters in London.

In recent months, Planned Parenthood has been at the centre of a storm of controversy following the release of a series of undercover videos secretly recorded by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP). These videos appear to show Planned Parenthood profiting from the sale of foetal organs and body parts, harvesting organs from babies who are delivered intact and very likely born alive, and harvesting foetal organs without the consent of the mother.

Trafficking in human body parts is a federal felony in the US punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.

Caught on tape

Many passers-by were hearing about the abortion scandal for the first time

As well as the serious allegations that Planned Parenthood is in breach of the law, it has been the language and attitude of staff shown in these videos that has drawn widespread condemnation from pro-life groups and US politicians. In the first video, Dr. Deborah Nucatola, senior director of medical services at Planned Parenthood, talks casually over dinner about deciding which part of an unborn child to "crush" during an abortion to make sure that the organs are left intact.

She also appears to describe herself and others performing partial-birth abortions, which are illegal in the US (punishable by two years in prison and a fine of $250,000).

In another of the videos, Mary Gatter, Medical director at Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley in Calfiornia, is seen haggling over prices before joking, "I want a Lamborghini!"

Worldwide protests

The protest comes in the wake of an undercover investigation that exposed Planned Parenthood profiting from the sale of foetal body parts

Pro-life groups called for a coordinated day of protest outside Planned Parenthood clinics on Saturday 22nd August to raise public awareness of their alleged barbaric practices. This took place in more than 320 cities in the US and 6 other countries - including London and Birmingham in the UK.